The Mongol Rally - Europe and Asia's Grand Adventure

Hyde Park

This is a dream vacation, slash adventure, slash experience. I have not done it..... yet.

The Mongol Rally is described as "the greatest adventure in the world." I would agree completely, if it were not for some of the other motoring events held by the rally's organizers, The Adventurists. Simply put, it is the antidote to the Gumball Rally, where the rich and famous traverse the world in Earth's most expensive motorcars.

Rules are simple: the vehicle used must have cost less than £1000, must have a 1.2 liter engine or less, and must generally be considered absolute rubbish. The object is to drive the vehicle from London to Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Such an overland route is a serious hazard both to one's safety and to semi-functional tin jalopies known as "cars" the contestants drive. The few contestants who make it the entire route usually consider themselves "winners."

The event kicks off to much fanfare in Hyde Park, London, one of the largest parks in central London.

Prague

There is no preferred route. However, one of the more direct ones takes the teams through Germany to Prague, the largest city and capital of the Czech Republic. See famous sites such as the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Hall. Additionally, be sure to catch the castle of Prague, often recognized as the very symbol of the city.

No visit to Prague would be complete without also visiting the Charles Bridge. The Cathedral of Saint Vito is another famous tourist attraction. But no dilly-dallying in your sputtering Citroen 2CV. The wilds of the East beckon!

Odessa

Next on the journey, if you are taking this route, is the city of Odessa in southern Ukraine. Sit on the shores of the Black Sea and mentally steel yourself for the beginnings of true adventure. The sometimes lawless lands you will soon be piloting your now utterly destroyed Nissan Micra through weigh heavily on you. A strange mixture of anticipation and dread fills your soul.

If you have the time, stroll along the Primorski Boulevard to the Opera House. This beautiful city is renowned for being a major international seaport, and for its intriguing blend of Ukrainian/Russian/Mediterranean culture.

Samarqand

Many of the routes converge in Samarkand (alternate spelling Samarqand), Uzbekistan. This city has been on my wish list of places to visit for many years, irregardless of its location in the Mongol Rally. For centuries Samarqand has served as the intermediary between China and the West, due to its central location along the Silk Road. The stunning Persian architecture, the mosques, the minarets..... all of this contributes to it being a center for Islamic studies and culture.

The Registan at Samarqand is frequently listed as one of the top 100 most beautiful places in the world. This is a city of wonders. If you and your car have made it this far, however, that is a wonder in its own right

Tsagaannuur

Tsagaannuur is actually a relatively common place name in Mongolia. I am referring to Tsagaannuur, Bayan-Ölgii, which marks the border with Russia and Mongolia. From here on out, you are in Mongolia, my friends!

Most of the denizens of this area are ethnic Kazakhs. Congratulations on making it this far. You are officially the zaniest person in your friend group. You now have a myriad number of entertaining stories for your grandchildren. Unfortunately, what is left of your car broke in half on the side of the "road." Hopefully the nontraditional welding job you undertook to put the two pieces of the frame back together will hold your crippled micro-compact together as you traverse one of the more barren, magical, grand landscapes on earth.

Ulaanbaatar

Against all odds, you have arrived in Ulan Bator. Your trusty mechanical steed is in shambles, but it has born you across nearly a whole continent, through an often inhospitable landscape. You are impervious to mountain-dwelling bandits, the vicissitudes of nature, and have unwittingly become a master automotive mechanic in the process. But what of the city itself? Ulan Bator is a major transportation hub between China and Russia, and is the capital and largest city in Mongolia.

Sukhbaatar Square is often listed by visitors as a worthwhile site, the central hub of the city. The Ghandan Khiid Monastery is elaborately, ornately decorated, and is the largest monastery in the country, housing nearly 500 Buddhist monks.

Time to do it all again next year..... but on a motorcycle this time, by way of Ukhta in northwestern Russia. Samarkand is too played out, too full of of tourists. The Northern Route beckons as an even grander adventure. Did I mention that motorcycles are allowed, but must not have an engine displacement about 125cc? That is right, many Vespa models are disqualified for being OVER-powered. Because everyone wants to be stuck in Siberia on a broken French moped.